MLB Player News

McCullers came away with a no-decision in Friday's 6-3 win over the Rangers, allowing two unearned runs on four hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out two.

The right-hander also plunked Marcus Semien and uncorked a wild pitch, and McCullers left the mound in the line for the loss after 83 pitches (53 strikes). A six-run rally in the seventh by the Astros got him off the hook, however. The four frames still represented McCullers' longest outing since coming off the IL at the beginning of May, and his inability to go deep into games yet is understandable considering his two-year layoff due to injuries. He'll try to improve his efficiency in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Mariners.

Sears (4-3) allowed four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out two over four innings to take the loss Friday versus the Giants.

Sears was fine through two innings, but he ran into trouble in the third. Wilmer Flores took him deep for a grand slam in that frame to finish a 10-pitch at-bat. The four runs allowed were a season high for Sears, and he's given up six homers over nine starts. The southpaw still has a respectable 3.31 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 38:10 K:BB across 49 innings despite this inefficient start. He's projected for a home start versus the Angels his next time out.

Kochanowicz (3-5) allowed a run on five hits and four walks while striking out five over 6.2 innings to earn the win over the Dodgers on Friday.

Kochanowicz was a little generous in allowing baserunners again -- this was the third time in four starts he's walked a season-high four batters. Despite that, the only run he allowed was on a Max Muncy double in the fourth inning. Kochanowicz was able to induce four double plays to offset the traffic on the bases. He's now at a 4.71 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 29:22 K:BB across 49.2 innings over nine starts. He's allowed just two runs over his last 12.1 innings, but he'll need to trim the walk rate to make that short-term success more sustainable. The 24-year-old is projected to start on the road versus the Athletics in his next outing.

Povich did not factor into the decision against the Nationals on Friday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out nine across 5.2 innings.

Povich had extra rest entering Friday's game after his original start Tuesday against the Twins was postponed due to rain. The time off appeared to help the 25-year-old southpaw, as he registered a season-high nine strikeouts and was one out shy from logging his third quality start of the season. Povich has a 5.23 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 38:14 K:BB across 41.1 innings, and he is lined up to face the Brewers on the road next week.

Francis (2-6) took the loss against the Tigers on Friday, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six across 4.2 innings.

Francis gave up solo home runs to Riley Greene and Zach McKinstry in the second and fourth innings, respectively. Francis has given up a league-worst 14 home runs through nine starts this season and has a 5.63 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 36:13 K:BB across 46.1 innings. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which is tentatively slated for next week at home against the Padres.

Flaherty (2-5) earned the win against the Blue Jays on Friday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out six across 5.2 innings.

Flaherty had a 6.66 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over his last five starts (all losses), but he was much better in Friday's outing. He kept the Blue Jays off the board through the first five innings and struck out the first two batters he faced in the sixth, but he yielded a two-run home run to Daulton Varsho and was one out shy from logging his second quality start of the season. Flaherty will look to make it two wins in a row in his next start, tentatively slated for next week on the road against the Cardinals.

Ragans exited Friday's game against St. Louis due to left groin tightness.

Ragans gave up four runs in five-plus innings before an athletic trainer took him out of the game. The left-hander is tentatively scheduled to make his next start Wednesday in San Francisco, though it's unclear if he'll be able to do so.

Rodon (5-3) earned the win against the Mets on Friday, allowing one run on two hits and four walks while striking out five across five innings.

Rodon tied a season high with four walks issued Friday, but he limited the Mets to one run in the fourth inning and finished his outing with 15 whiffs on 102 pitches (60 strikes). The 32-year-old southpaw has logged at least five strikeouts in each of his 10 starts this season, and his 72 strikeouts are tied with Cole Ragans for second-most in the American League behind Garrett Crochet (73). Rodon is slated to face the Rangers at home next week.

Bradley (3-3) took the loss Friday against the Marlins after allowing five runs on six hits and three walks in four innings. He struck out six.

Friday marked Bradley's shortest outing of the season, but he did fan at least six for the first time in his last six starts. Walks have been a big issue for the hard-throwing right-hander, who has issued at least three free passes on five occasions in his last eight appearances. Bradley will look to improve on his 4.80 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 41:22 K:BB over 50.2 innings in his next scheduled start versus the Astros, which lines up for next week.

Crochet (4-3) took the loss Friday against Atlanta after allowing two runs on seven hits and no walks in seven innings. He struck out eight.

Crochet punched out at least six in his seventh consecutive start, also tossing at least seven innings for the third time in his past four outings. The hard-throwing left-hander also got a whopping 19 whiffs Friday, but he did yield a season-high two home runs in what was a tough-luck loss amid a pitching duel with fellow southpaw Chris Sale. Crochet will take an outstanding 2.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 73:21 K:BB over 63 innings into a difficult matchup versus the Mets, which is slated for next week.